Page 98 of Coveted Justice

“We may have wasted a trip,” Sam said. “No one’s home.”

“I didn’t want to call first in case he tried to duck us,” Tanner replied. “He didn’t want to talk to Logan the first time. I assumed he’d be even less cooperative now.”

He started back down the driveway but stopped, sniffing the air.

“Do you smell that?”

Sam sniffed the air as well, nodding his head.

“It’s exhaust leaking out.” They moved toward the garage door, kneeling down to the tiny crack between the door and the concrete. “There’s a car running in there.”

Generally, people didn’t start their cars, close the garage, and then leave their house. They tried to lift the garage door but it wouldn’t budge.

“We need to get in,” Tanner said. “We might have to kick down a door.”

“Try the front door,” Sam said. “I’ll try the back. Maybe we’ll get lucky and one of them will be unlocked. If not, then I’ll break it down.”

Sam jogged around the back and Tanner tried the door, but it was locked. He also tried a few windows, but they weren’t moving either.

“I’ve got it,” he heard Sam yell. “The back door was unlocked.”

Adrenaline pumping, Tanner ran into the house on Sam’s heels, leaving the door open behind him. The smell of exhaust had leaked into the house as well, and they’d need ventilation to help clear it out.

They burst into the garage, Tanner hitting the button for the automatic opener. The door creaked loudly and began its ascent as Sam pulled open the driver’s door of the sedan inside.

“It’s Drew Parnham,” he said, hooking his arms under the unconscious man’s body to pull him free. Tanner grabbed his feet and they carried him outside to the driveway. Parnham’s skin was pale, but he was breathing.

“I’ll call 911,” Tanner said. “We’re going to need an ambulance.”

Had Drew Parnham felt so guilty about something that he’d tried to kill himself? And was that “something” that he’d shot his own father?

Hopefully, the younger man would survive to answer those questions.

Maddie was surprised to see Abby at her front door. As far as she could remember, the woman had never come to their home. She’d always meet Tanner or the kids at another location.

“Abby, come in. I didn’t know you were stopping by. Tanner’s not here. He went to talk to Drew Parnham.”

Looking like she wasn’t sure if she should, Abby stepped inside, her gaze darting around the living room as if to assess the decor.

“I just wanted to stop by and drop off the desk key for Tanner. I finally found the extra key when I was changing over to a different handbag. It had fallen down to the bottom. I know that he wants to get into Marty’s desk but didn’t want to break into it without a warrant. I’m staying with Emily right now so the house will be empty. I also put the house key on the ring. The alarm is off since the police were going in and out.”

Maddie was surprised to hear that Abby was staying with Emily. The two of them hadn’t always gotten along, but it was nice to see them bury the hatchet for the time being.

“That’s great. He’s going to be pleased.”

Abby handed the keys over to Maddie but didn’t move toward the door. Or say anything. The situation had gone awkward in seconds.

“Would you like something to drink?” Maddie asked, putting on her best manners. She really didn’t want to sit with Abby and make small talk, but she didn’t want to push her out the door either. “I have a fresh pot of coffee. And Amanda made some lemon poppy-seed muffins. They’re really good.”

Abby was shaking her head before Maddie finished speaking.

“No. No, that’s alright. I really need to be going. I have an appointment with my lawyer.”

Except that Abby still wasn’t budging from her spot by the door. She was standing there looking down at the maple flooring. As a doctor, Maddie had seen the behavior a million times when a patient wanted to tell her something but didn’t know what to say or how to say it.

“Abby, did you want to talk?”

Maddie kept her tone neutral, not wanting to upset Abby. She didn’t want to push, but clearly this visit wasn’t over.

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